Preferences and utilization of bio-fortified maize among farming households in Imo State, Nigeria
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Bio-fortified maize is a viable intervention for addressing micronutrient deficiencies and enhancing food security, particularly among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. This study examined the preferences and utilization of bio-fortified maize among farming households in Imo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 120 maize farmers, and data were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Binary Probit regression model were used to analyze the data collected. Results indicate that the majority (58.80%) of farmers were male, with an average household size of six persons. The mean farming experience was 28 years, with an average farm size of 1.56 hectares. Awareness of bio-fortified maize was high (97%), with radio (53.3%) and extension agents (51.7%) being the primary sources of information. The findings show that 60.83% of the farmers utilize bio-fortified maize, mainly for household consumption and market sales. Farmers preferred bio-fortified maize for its high yield (mean = 3.39), resistance to pests (mean = 2.97), and health benefits (mean = 3.68). Factors such as age, years of formal education, farm size, farm income, and extension contact significantly influenced utilization decisions at 1% level of significance. Major constraints to utilization included high labour costs (62.93%), poor storage facilities (62.07%), inadequate capital (61.20%), and limited access to bio-fortified seeds (28.45%). The study concludes that farmers were aware of bio-fortified maize and utilized it in the study area. It is recommended that market linkages should be strengthened and production constraints addressed to further optimize the use of bio-fortified maize, thereby increasing the nutritional outcomes in rural communities.
Institution: Imo State University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411368707